Goat info appreciated :)

[Sugar Sand Farm]

We have three wethers too One is a Boar cross and the other two are Nigerian. I have seen on these posts where people say they have trouble keeping goats in their yards. We have had our guys for over a year. They are mainly in a yard witha four foot high chain link fence . They also have access to an acre paddock with field fencing around it. We have neve had a problem with them trying to escape They are like little dogs, they are always under foot. They ahve plenty of climbing toys in the yard and lots of forage. We got them at three months old. They are great with the grandkids and are fine with our two dogs. Maybe we are just luckly but when I read all the posts about problems I'm surprised. Micki

 

[spirit-newcinamon]

hey
i have 10 goats. they all live im my paddock with just the standard australian fencing of star pickets and large holded wire. my goats are very good at escaping. you have to make sure that they cant get under through or over the fence. the kangaroos make holes in and under which the goats get out of. i have my 3 females tied up as they have babies. the oldest one is 1 week. if you tie up ur goat they will eat all of the grass till it is about 5 cm long. mine also tend to make dust baths for themselves. all they need is water(i only ever top up my goats water when it is empty) and food. they are strong to so i suggest a rope on a run. it works well then all u have to do is move one end. if you have any questions just ask me i have had goats since i was 5. i am now breding them. the babies are soooo cute
good luck with your goats they give me hours of fun.
if you have any questions just ask

 

[FamilyOfChickens]

We've been thinking about getting two Pygmy Goats for quite a while now. You would not BELIEVE how much research I've done.

We've went and looked at a couple people's set-ups. Our favorite was a big local dairy farmer. He had the goats in veal calve shelters or whatever you call them!

For fencing, they just had hog fence. You will find most of this stuff out by doing your research, like we did. I hope you get some, and have fun!

 

[Chirpy]

I too am going to probably add goats to our family. I've been researching and learning for a couple of months now and have decided on Nigerian Dwarfs for us. I will probably wait until next spring to actually buy them and bring them home - that gives me all winter to finish preparing (everything's ready except for toys for them to play on) and make sure this is the right decision for our family.

I totally agree on the wisdom given - learn, learn, and learn some more before adding an animal to your home. Asking questions here is a great part of that learning process.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[lostinthewoods]

My two have been eating everything in sight, and what they haven't eaten, they've drug out to the pasture so my horse can step on them! I went out to the pasture one morning last week and there was a screw driver (with the point up) stuck in the dirt right in front of where the horse walks in and out!

If you're going to have goats I would suggest a wooden pen they cannot get out of in the barn with a door so you can close them in at night. Mine are always out of the fence except when the geese are around. lol! Where are you located? Maybe you'd like these 2 goats? They're a Nubian/ Oberhaslis Cross....a 1 yr old and a 3 month old. You can send me an e-mail if you're interested.......

 

[moonlitfarms]

I have 7 Nigerian Dwarfs and now a Fainting. We have ours in a 6 foot fence which is really overkill since the goats only reach 23 inches at the withers but this also helps to keep bad things out. My in-laws have 25 of these little angels and my neice has 14. So far ours have just been pets but my son will start showing in 4-H next year. They are very friendly, make great pets. If we are outside in the yard then so are the goats. I think Nigerians are a great breed to start out with they are small, docile, and very fun to watch. The Nigerian Dwarf Association if full of great people that are always willing to give advice. You can always visit ndga.com for information and members near you. We are located just south of Ft. Wayne Indiana. We currently have a few wethers for sale and in the spring should have many more. Hope this helps and good luck!!

 

[Chelly]

Oh those Fainting goats look SO funny! How are they personality wise?

 

[kstaven]

One thing I have to take note of is that no one mentioned the biggest cause for rumen failure and death from bloat is TOO MUCH GRAIN!!!! Goats thrive on pasture if it is diverse enough. Good quality hay is the next best thing.

If you buy goats find out what they where being fed on and don't change their diet from hay or dry grass, to good green pasture overnight, and you will save yourself a lot of trouble.

When is comes to escape abilities etc that depends on the breed and the individual goat. Nubians I would never own again. For a dairy breed it is hard to beat a toggengurg. They are calm and imprint to humans very well.

 

[moonlitfarms]

Just recently purchased the fainter. So far she seems to be very sweet and will just follow us like a puppy. The breeder said that hers were very friendly as well. She had 4 kids that spent alot of time with the animals. They say fainters are not big climbers so they are easy to contain.

 

[Ms E]

We got an adult fainter last fall. She is rather shy but finally won't faint when you call her. She doesn't climb at all and lives with the chickens, ducks, geese, etal in a 40 ft x 60ft yard and goes in the coop at night to her 'corner'. She free ranges with the crowd several times a week, doesn't wander away.

She's a cuty!

Ms. e